Politiks As Usual: In The News 1/12/14

Senate Support For Iran Sanctions Bill Reaches Veto-Proof Majority

Ten Reasons To Reject Socialism

Vatican: Media Uses ‘Manipulation’ of Pope’s Statements to Fit Agenda
 
Unemployment Rate Drops as Workers Leave Labor Force
 
Being A Democrat Means Never Having To Say You're Sorry
 
‘Year of Action’: Obama Vows More Executive Orders
 
'Girls' Star Lena Dunham: People Who Don't Like Seeing Me Naked Need Psych Help
 
Where's the Media Outrage? Virginia Democrat Compares Republicans to Violent Rapists
 
Blogger’s Incarceration Raises First Amendment Questions

Priebus Battles Gregory: At Least Christie Fires People, Obama ‘Doubles Down’ on Them

Pimp Sirgiorgiro Clardy Sues Nike For $100 Million After He Used Air Jordans To Stomp John 

Obama's Internal Devaluation Increases Income Inequality

OJ Simpson Appeal To Nevada Court Due In April

Barack Obama Still Denies Being A Liberal Terrorist

HotAir.com:

This is longstanding Obama shtick but feels more anachronistic by the day. Being seen as post-partisan and “pragmatic” was key to his 2008 Hopenchange message, reassuring centrists and libertarians that their fears of electing a liberal were overblown. Then he got elected, rammed through a giant stimulus, passed a landmark redistributionist health-care boondoggle, ran trillion-dollar deficits, demanded tax hikes on the rich, blocked Keystone as a favor to environmentalists, inevitably “evolved” on gay marriage, and of course remained a stalwart defender of the right to abortion. He didn’t even bother, really, with the “pragmatist” crap last year, concluding that he was better off turning out his base and trying to hold centrists by demonizing Romney than pushing more post-partisanship BS that no one would believe. Good call, as it turned out. He got reelected — and then began his second term with a big gun-control campaign followed by a call for action from Congress on legalizing illegals. Right down the middle, our Barry.

I don’t know why he’s come back to this now, five years in. Maybe, as the walls close in from the ObamaCare debacle, Democrats feel some atavistic impulse to return to what worked in the past. The “extremist Republicans” narrative was a sterling success for them in 2012. Think it’ll help with someone who’s now paying an extra $200 a month in health-insurance premiums?

Despite those problems, the White House expressed optimism on Sunday that Democrats could regain control of the House of Representatives, which has blocked many of Obama’s top policy priorities – on ideological grounds, Democrats would say.

The president called that chamber a barrier to progress in his remarks and said there would be broad consensus on issues such as immigration reform if politics were stripped away.
“I’m not a particularly ideological person,” he said, saying pragmatism was necessary to advance the values that were important to him.

Says Jonah Goldberg drily of Obama’s self-styled pragmatism, “Saying he only cares about ‘what works’ at this point in his presidency is more of a problem given that his signature achievement, you know, doesn’t.”

Simple question: Don’t liberals consider Reagan an ideological conservative even though he deviated from conservative orthodoxy in certain ways? Obama’s been surprisingly hawkish on drone strikes and NSA surveillance despite his liberal pedigree; Reagan, depicted as a crazed warmonger by some of his lefty critics, stuck to diplomacy with the Soviet Union and withdrew from Lebanon not long after the barracks bombing. He also signed the most permissive amnesty for illegal aliens in modern American history and gave up on abolishing the Department of Education despite running on it in 1980. The entitlement state weathered eight years of his presidency (and 12 years of Bushes) to deliver the fiscal crisis that threatens the country now. In fact, one of the left’s favorite ways to needle tea partiers is to claim that their hero, the Gipper, governed too moderately to be nominated by the GOP today. Does that mean Reagan wasn’t really an ideological conservative?

Of course not. No one, Obama included, disputes that he was. He split from doctrinaire conservatism when political realities of the moment forced him to, but his vision was one of smaller government, lower taxes, and robust defense spending to counter communism. It’s also political reality that tends to force O’s deviations to the center. If he had refused to use Bush’s counterterrorism tools and the country had suffered a major terrorist attack, the political fallout for Democrats would have been brutal. He could have crafted his own entitlement reform deal with Democrats in 2009 when they controlled Congress, but he made no serious gestures towards it until the GOP reclaimed the House and Boehner gave him a reason to discuss it. Even his signature boondoggle, which the left now likes to remind people is a public/private hybrid, is a hybrid of necessity: Not only would it have been a bridge too far politically for a few centrist Democrats in Congress to pass single-payer, it would have been enormously disruptive to health coverage in America, needless to say. Obama himself has said in the past that he’d prefer single-payer if we were starting from scratch — pretty ideological! — but that economic reality is what it is, leaving a hybrid system the only option. ObamaCare’s not his preference, it’s just the best he can do. That’s not “ideological”?

RELATED:  The Five: If Obama’s Not a ‘Real Socialist,’ Does That Make Him a ‘Fake’ One?

Politiks As Usual: In The News 11/17/13

More World News from ABC

Teens' 'Knockout Game' A Growing Danger With Deadly Results

Atheism: Poor Odds, Bad Science and the 'Law of Non Contradictions'

Perfect. Seattle Elects A Socialist To City Council

Failed Left-Wing Policies Sinking Obama's Presidency

The Cult of Outrage

Andrew Sullivan Slams MSNBC: 'Bunch of Hypocrites and Phonies on That Propaganda Network'

Physician Criticizes FDA Crusade Against Trans Fats 

Transgender Bathroom Laws An Assault On Freedom, Expert Says

Pa. Pastor Facing Church Trial Over Gay Marriage

Marketplace Changes Have Made ENDA Superfluous

Don Lemon Takes On Black Writer For ‘Why I Hate Being a Black Man’ Column

Toronto Mayor Refuses to Step Down: 'I'm Not an Addict'

Politiks As Usual: In The News 6/17/13

Environmental Advocates, Visitors Question Removal of BP Oil Cleaning Crews in Gulf

Plane Carrying George W. Bush Diverted After Smell of Smoke

ENDA and the Coming Wave of Lawsuits

Latest Liberal Talking Point: You're Obamaphobic

Obama: 'There Will Never Be a Substitute For' Fathers; Obama's DOJ: Children Don't Need Fathers

No Conservatives on Columbia School of Journalism Gay Marriage Panel 

TMI: John Stamos to Host Entire Show About ‘Losing Your Virginity’

Greenwald Slams Media for Backing Obama's Domestic Surveillance When They Opposed Bush's

Rubio: Obama's Inaction on Syria Led to 'Worst Possible Scenario'

Gender-Swapping 'Bathroom Bill' Passes Senate Committee in California

Obama’s ‘Social Innovation’ Slush Fund 

Politiks As Usual: In The News 9/24/12

Eastern Germany: The Most Godless Place On Earth

Obama's Childlike Belief In The Money Tree

Chick-fil-A Sticks With Pro-Marriage Donations

Berkeley, CA Now Acknowledging Bisexuals

Romney Vows Major New Campaign Push Into Battleground States

Pelosi Fuming Over Romney 'Mute Button' Ad

Despite Having Ambassador's Journal That Suggests Otherwise, CNN Continues to Blame Anti-Islam Film For Attack in Libya

2012 Emmys Honor the Profane

Gallup: Only 8% of Americans Have 'Great Deal' of Trust in News Media--a New Low

Allen West: “Bin Laden Being Dead is Not Foreign Policy”

A Time for Truth, Not Word Games

Reince Priebus: Republicans Have ‘Specifics Coming Out Of Our Eyeballs’

Barack Obama in 1998: "I Believe In Redistribution"

FOXNews.com:

A newly released audio recording purports to feature a young Barack Obama saying he believes in government "redistribution" -- a comment that Mitt Romney quickly seized on to claim his opponent thinks "the government should take from some to give to the others." 

The tape, posted on YouTube, was a throwback to the web video that emerged in 2008 showing Obama telling "Joe the Plumber" he wants to "spread the wealth around." 

This recording purportedly was from a 1998 conference at Loyola University. In it, the young Obama tells the audience he believes there has been "a propaganda campaign against the possibility of government action and its efficacy." 

"I think that what we're going to have to do is somehow resuscitate the notion that government action can be effective at all," Obama says. "I think the trick is figuring out how do we structure government systems that pool resources and hence facilitate some redistribution -- because I actually believe in redistribution, at least at a certain level to make sure that everybody's got a shot." 

The broader context of the talk is unclear. But Romney, who on Tuesday faced criticism about some of his own comments in a secretly recorded video, pointed to the Obama recording in arguing that he and his opponent have sharply different views on government. 

Romney said there's a "great divide" in the country. 

 "I know some believe the government should take from some to give to the others," he told Fox News. "I think the president makes it clear in the tape that was released today that that's what he believes. I think that's an entirely foreign concept." 

Romney, for his part, has endured a wave of criticism from Democrats over a video showing him speaking at a private fundraiser back in May. In the video, Romney could be heard saying the 47 percent of people who don't pay federal income tax "believe they are victims" and will support Obama "no matter what." 

Romney defended his comments in the interview with Fox News on Tuesday -- and then cited the Obama recording to underscore his point that he and the president come at the job with two entirely different philosophies. 

"Frankly, we have two very different views about America," Romney said. "The president's view is one of a larger government. There's a tape that just came out today (with) the president saying he likes redistribution. I disagree. 

RELATED: Andrea Mitchell And John Sununu Battle Over Romney’s 47% Comments, Obama’s Class Warfare

Politiks As Usual: 5/6/12

Black Women and Fat

Dianne Feinstein, Mike Rogers Agree The Taliban Is Stronger

Marco Rubio Says Obama of 2008 Is 'Gone,' Makes Case For Romney Amid VP Buzz

Dan Savage and Carrie Prejean

Obama Congratulates Incoming French Socialist President

  

Five Reasons Why Liberals Shouldn't be in Charge of Anything

  

Bad to Worst

  

Unemployment Rate Dips 0.1%, But Workforce Participation Rate Falls 0.2%

  

‘The Perfect Family’ Mocks Devout Catholics as Unthinking Bigots

  

NY Times Goes Hunting for Racist 'Ultraconservatives' in Ohio Who Won't Support Obama

  

Republicans Rally Behind Romney as Obama Officially Starts Bid

Arizona Says NO to Planned Parenthood

Video: Uncle Sam’s Unlimited Cell-phone Plan

R. Lee Ermey Calls Obama A Socialist

Source

MSNBC's Lawrence O'Donnell Admits That He's A Socialist

What a self-righteous prick:

This morning on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” program, Lawrence O’Donnell proudly declared the obvious: he’s a socialist.


After hearing the news today about the suspension of Keith Olbermann from the same network, I can’t say anyone’s all that surprised.


O’Donnell’s proclamation was made when “The Last Word” anchor got into a lively exchange with Salon.com contributor Glenn Greenwald.


“Unlike you, I am not a progressive. I am not a liberal who’s so afraid of the word that I had to change my name to progressive. Liberals amuse me. I am a Socialist. I live to the extreme left - the extreme left – of you mere liberals.”

ABC Sanitizes Left Wing Rally, Excludes Communist and Socialist Signs

Newsbusters.org:

Good Morning America on Sunday recapped the liberal One Nation rally held on the nation's capital, Saturday, but skipped any mention of the socialist and Communist themed signs seen during the march.


These are some of the signs that were featured during reporter Tahman Bradley's segment: ""Peace, justice, equality, hope, change," "Fair trade, not free trade," "Educate every child," "Full and fair employment" and "Silence GOP lies." However, signs with the Communist Party USA logo, posters reading "Capitalism is failing, socialism is the alternative" and "Build a socialist alternative" were not.


Instead, Bradley repeated Democratic talking points: "Several speakers and people in the crowd noted the diversity at the rally. Their insinuation, the Tea Party movement has attracted only a narrow slice of Americans."

Politiks As Usual: In The News 7/12/10

BP Makes Progress On Effort To Contain Gulf Oil Leak

Republicans Begin To Jockey For 2012 Position

Obama, Marriage: 'Saboteur in Chief'

55 Percent Of Likely Voters Find 'Socialist' An Accurate Label Of Obama

What If Glenn Beck Said, 'I Hate Every Last Iota of a N----! Kill Their Babies!'

NBC Caves To Gay Lobby, Includes Same-Sex Couples In Wedding Contest

House Finance Reg. Bill Gives Feds Power To Subpoena Without Probable Cause

Presbyterian Church Divided Over 'Gays'

PolitiFact Catches Keith Olbermann In Another Significant Error

Eric Holder Questions Death Penalty For 9/11 Terrorists

Why The President Is Simply Wrong On Civil Rights

Sarah Palin: Americans Must "Learn From (Reagan's) Mistakes" On Illegal Immigration

Politiks As Usual: In The News 5/24/10

Louisiana Demands Federal Action On Dredge Plan

South Korea: North 'Will Pay' For Surprise Torpedo Attack

Joe Sestak Confirms WH Job Offer To Get Out Of Senate Race

It's Not 'Anti-Incumbency,' Stupid: It's 'Anti-Liberalism'

Obama Exporting Chicago's Misery To A City Near You

The Miley Cyrus Effect: Young Girls Acting Like (Trashy) Adults

Texas Adopts New Social Studies Curriculum

Sorry, Mr. President: Socialism's Not In The Bible

Senate Democrats Pass Bill Allowing Gov't To Collect Addresses, ATM Records

Gallup: More Have 'No Religious Identity'

17 More States Planning Ariz. 'Illegal' Crackdown

Obama's Model 'Green' Country? Denmark Evicts Citizens

Has Reality TV Become Black Women's Enemy?

Obama Whines, Says He's "Not A Socialist"

CNBC.com:

President Barack Obama launched a vigorous defense of his economic agenda Wednesday, rejecting critics who call his policies "socialism" and insisting he aims to boost U.S. competitiveness abroad.

Speaking to the Business Roundtable, which groups some of the country's top chief executives, Obama called for support of his administration's efforts to overhaul financial regulation and create jobs.

Obama's remarks were set against a backdrop of unease in the business community about his economic and budget policies as well as his legislative drive for healthcare, energy and financial regulatory reform.

"Contrary to the claims of some of my critics, I am an ardent believer in the free market," Obama said in prepared remarks.

Every major policy Barry's introduced as Prez has added up to Socialism. Don't run away from the truth, embrace it.

Bill O'Reilly And Laura Ingraham Talk Socialism

Politiks As Usual: In The News 1/4/10

Even Democrats Now Demand Halt To Gitmo-to-Yemen Transfers

Breach Locks Down Newark Terminal

Mayo Clinic Gives Up On Medicare

Resolved: Remove The Marxist Majority

Dear Bank Of America, I'd Like A Default

WaPo's Liberal Decade: 'We' Went From 'Hell' To 'Hope'

13 State AGs Threaten Suit Over Health Care Deal

December Poised To Be 1st Month With No Combat Deaths In Iraq War

5 Campaign Promises That Obama Kept

Gluten: What You Don't Know Might Kill You

Hurricane Chief: Probe Climategate

Media 'Covering Up Sordid, Gay-On-Gay Murder'

Law & Order And Double Standards

Disney World Employee Indicted On Porn Charges

Michele Bachmann Critique's PelosiCare

"Smoke and mirrors"

Politiks As Usual: In The News 8/3/09

Obama Administration May Create Military-Civilian Terror Prison

Clunker Car Rebates Will Stop Unless Senate Acts

Obama Joker Poster Popping Up In Los Angeles

Dear Abby, Is There Any 'Lifestyle' You Won't Embrace?

The Real Affirmative Action Babies

Obama's Science Czar Said A Born Baby 'Will Ultimately Develop Into A Human Being'

Pro-Family Forces Submit Challenges To Maine 'Gay Marriage'

Truce Between O'Reilly And Olbermann?

Here Comes The ACLU! Bible As Textbook Ignites Firestorm

Are Western Leaders Stupid Or Malicious In Letting Iran Go Nuclear?

Utah Court Upholds Mother's Rights Over Former Lesbian Partner

Jobless Graduate Sues NYC College For Tuition Fees

President Bush Finally Speaks Out Against Obama's Socialist Policies

CNN.com:

In his most critical comments to date of the Obama administration's policies, former President George Bush Wednesday warned against the nationalization of healthcare, government overreach in the country's financial system, and the potential effects of closing the terrorist detention center at Guantanamo Bay.

"I know it's going to be the private sector that leads this country out of the current economic times we're in," the former president said during a speech to business leaders in Erie, Pennsylvania, according to the Washington Times. "You can spend your money better than the government can spend your money."

"Government does not create wealth. The major role for the government is to create an environment where people take risks to expand the job rate in the United States," he also said in the closed-door speech, according to the paper.

During the remarks — one of Bush’s first in the United States since leaving the White House — the former president commented on a wide-range of issues currently confronting the Obama administration, including the new president's push for universal healthcare.

"There are a lot of ways to remedy the situation without nationalizing health care," Bush said. "I worry about encouraging the government to replace the private sector when it comes to providing insurance for health care."

Asked directly if he thought his successor was embracing "socialist" polices, Bush stopped short of weighing in one way or the other, instead saying: "We'll see."

Normally, I think that Bush would've waited even longer before speaking out against Barry, but when the Teleprompter-In-Chief keeps blaming his predecessor for all the nation's problems (something that even Barry's minions in the press are getting tired of, btw), what are supposed to do but speak out and defend yourself?

"Down With Socialism!" At Fire David Letterman Rally

Ok, Palin's accepted the apology, it's time for people to move on.

Barack Obama: 100 Days Of Misery

Amazing video on the consequences of electing the most liberal senator to be our President. As this video so eloquently shows, in 100 days Barack Obama's every move has gone against life, family and the U.S.

H/T: Family Research Council